Archery Target

ABSTRACT

An archery target having a body in the shape and size of a game animal, the body having first and second opposing side surfaces separated by a back surface and a belly surface, a first opening in the first side surface, and at least one wall extending from the first side surface bounding a cavity having a cavity volume; at least one insert in the cavity, the at least one insert having a volume and a surface corresponding to the first side surface of the body, wherein the volume is equal to or less than the cavity volume; and at least one planar target located within the cavity. After firing a set of arrows at the target, the archer can approach the target, remove the arrows, remove the inserts, and evaluate where on the paper target the arrows struck. Based on the feedback, the archer can adjust the aiming point on the exterior surface of the target accordingly.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This original nonprovisional application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/947,572, filed Mar. 4, 2014, which is incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to archery. More specifically, the present invention relates is a three-dimensional archery target for more accurately providing feedback to archers as to the proper aiming point for striking vital organs of a live target.

2. Description of the Related Art

The following patents and published applications are incorporated by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,550,773; 5,308,084; 4,477,082; 5,503,403; 8,333,385; 4,565,376; 6,550,773; 6,983,939; 7,134,663; and U.S. Published App. Nos. 2012/0056380, 2012/0080848, 2002/0145256, 2006/0255542, 2004/0108659.

A variety of three-dimensional archery targets exist in various shapes and sizes of game. Such targets attempt to provide a realistic training situation in which an archer can attack the game from various orientations. For example, the archer may aim at the target from a side or with the game “quartered away from” or “quartered toward” the archer to simulate various angles of attack that may be encountered in actual hunting situations.

Some such three-dimensional targets include markings on the exterior surface of the target approximating the positions of internal organs to provide an aiming point for the archer and a feedback mechanism for the archer to determine whether a shot is well-placed. In these targets, the archer may make adjustments based on placement of the arrow relative to the markings.

One particular problem with such targets is that organs placed on the outer surface do not accurately reflect the optimal aiming point, especially when the target is not approached directly from the side. For example, if the target is quartered away from the archer, markings on the outside surface of the target does not accurately reflect the aiming point for hitting the internal organs of comparably-sized live game, unless the markings are already placed with the intent that the target be attacked from that orientation. Similarly, if the markings placed for a “quartered away” attack, a broadside attack will not be accurate. As a result, an archer may train in an unrealistic scenario which does not improve, and can even hurt, performance during a real hunting situation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved three-dimensional target wherein two-dimensional markings representing internal organ positions for live game are placed in a realistic and removable position within the target. The invention comprises a body in the shape and size of a game animal, the body having first and second opposing side surfaces separated by a back surface and a belly surface, a first opening in the first side surface, and at least one wall extending from the first side surface bounding a cavity having a cavity volume; at least one insert in the cavity, the at least one insert having a volume and a surface corresponding to the first side surface of the body, wherein the volume is equal to or less than the cavity volume; and at least one planar target located within the cavity. After firing a set of arrows at the target, the archer can approach the target, remove the arrows, remove the inserts, and evaluate where on the paper target the arrows struck. Based on the feedback, the archer can adjust the aiming point on the exterior surface of the target accordingly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric assembly view of a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top elevation of the first embodiment, showing the target having been struck by two arrows.

FIG. 3 is an isometric assembly view of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an isometric assembly view of a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment 20 of the invention, which embodiment 20 is a deer-shaped, three-dimensional target. The target includes a body 22 made from foam (e.g., polyurethane foam) that may be easily penetrated by an archer's arrow. While the body may be made from any material that suffices as targetable material, preferably the average density of the material from which the body 22 is formed should simulate the density of the actual game.

The body 22 includes first and second opposing side surfaces 24, 26 separated by a back surface 28 and a belly surface 30. The body 22 has four adjacent planar walls 32 extending between the side surfaces 24, 26 to form a cavity 34 extending between openings 36, 38 in each side surface 24, 26. The openings 36, 38 are generally square-shaped, although other shapes may be used. A cylindrical surface, for example, may define a cavity through the body having opposing circular openings.

Two inserts 40 are shaped and sized to fit snuggly within the cavity 28. Preferably, the inserts 40 are made of the same material as the body 22, such as polyurethane foam.

In this embodiment, the inserts 40 are mirrors of one another. Each insert 40 has a side surface 42 corresponding in curvature to the respective surrounding side surface 24, 26 of the body 22 such that, when inserted into the cavity 34, the entire right side and left side surfaces 24, 26 in combination with the side surfaces 42 simulate the side of the game. Each insert 40 further includes a planer surface 44 opposing the respective side surface 42.

A square paper target 46 having markings simulating the shape and position of a deer's vital organs is positioned within the cavity 34 between the inserts 40. The paper target 46 may be fastened to a planer surface 44 of one insert 40 using, for example, tacks or pins with an adhesive, or may simply be held in place by contact with the surfaces 44 of the inserts 40. Although the target 46 is square in the preferred embodiment, it may be of any shape.

The inserts 40 and paper target 46 collectively have a volume that corresponds to the volume of the cavity 28, meaning that the inserts 40 and paper target may be placed in the cavity 34 and held there by frictional engagement of the inserts 40 with surfaces of the body 22. Because the inserts 40 are symmetrical and mirrors of one another, in this embodiment 20, the paper target 46 is aligned with the longitudinal mid-plane (i.e., the midsagittal plane) of the target, although in alternative embodiments the target 46 may not be coplanar with the mid-plane.

The paper target 46 includes markings representing the approximate position of internal organs of the target's type (e.g., the heart, lungs, and liver). While only a two-dimensional representation of internal organs, the position of the paper target 46 along the midplane 21 allows the archer better feedback concerning aim relative to the same markings on the outside surface of the target.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the target with two arrows 50, 54 having been fired at and lodged in the embodiment 20. The first arrow 50 was aimed to strike a first point 52 that is linearly between a first firing position, directly broadside to the target, and a vital organ area 55. The second arrow 54 is aimed at a second point 56 that is linearly between the area 55 and a second firing position, with the target quartered away from the second firing position. Both arrows 50, 54 have penetrated the insert and the paper target 46, which is aligned with the midplane 21. Had the second arrow been loosed at the same aiming point used for the first arrow, the tip of the second arrow would have penetrated to position 60, forward of the vital organs.

After firing a set of arrows at the target, the archer can approach the target 46, remove the arrows, remove the inserts 40, and evaluate where on the paper target 46 the arrows struck. Based on the feedback, the archer can adjust the aiming point on the exterior surface of the target accordingly

While the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1-2 shows two inserts 40, more inserts and targets may be positioned within the cavity. Moreover, alternative embodiments of the invention may align the paper targets in planes other than the mid-plane of the target.

FIG. 3, for example, shows an alternative embodiment 100 having three square paper targets 40 positioned between four inserts 40′, 40″ to better allow an archer to determine the depth and position of arrows in the target following the strike. Elements of FIG. 3 that are identical to elements of FIGS. 1-2 are identically-numbered.

In this embodiment 100, the outer inserts 40′ have surfaces corresponding to the curvature of the body 22 proximal to the respective openings 36, 38, whereas the inner inserts 40″ are cuboids.

Moreover, the paper targets also need not be, and in FIG. 3 are not, aligned with the midplane, be may be angled depending upon the particular needs of the archer. For example, the targets could be angled relative to the midsagittal plane or a horizontal plane.

While the described embodiments refer to paper targets, other types of targets may be used. Preferably, the targets are cheap consumables easily discarded after prolonged use (e.g., paper, cardboard, posterboard, etc.), although alternative embodiments contemplate the use of a marked insert operating as a target.

In addition, while the described embodiments contemplate the inserts 40 occupying all or substantially all of the cavity 34, in other embodiments the cavity 34 may not be completely occupied.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which the cavity only partially extends through the body of the target. This embodiment has planar surfaces 32, 33 that define a generally cuboid cavity 34′ having only one opening 36. The planar surface 33 opposing the opening 36 is coplanar with the midplane 21 of the target. The paper target 46 may be positioned against the surface 33 and the insert 40 placed into the cavity 34′. Use of this embodiment is as described with the previously-described embodiments, except that that target may only be inserted and removed from one side of the target.

The present invention is described in terms of specifically-described embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments of such device can be used in carrying out the present invention. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention may be obtained from a study of this disclosure and the drawings, along with the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. An archery target comprising: a body in the shape and size of a game animal, the body having first and second opposing side surfaces separated by a back surface and a belly surface, a first opening in the first side surface, and at least one wall extending from the first side surface bounding a cavity having a cavity volume; at least one insert in the cavity, the at least one insert having a volume and a surface corresponding to the first side surface of the body, wherein the volume is equal to or less than the cavity volume; and at least one planar target located within the cavity.
 2. The archery target of claim 1 further comprising a second opening in the second side surface and at least one wall extending from the second side surface bounding the cavity.
 3. The archery target of claim 2 wherein the at least one comprises: a first insert in the cavity, the first insert having a first insert volume and a surface corresponding to the first side surface of the body; a second insert in the cavity, the second insert having second insert volume and a surface corresponding to the second side surface of the body, wherein the first volume plus the second volume is equal to or less than the cavity volume.
 4. The archery target of claim 3 wherein the first insert is a mirror of the second insert.
 5. The archery target of claim 1 wherein the inserts are polyurethane foam.
 6. The archery target of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a longitudinal mid-plane and the planar target is substantially co-planar with the longitudinal mid-plane.
 7. The archery target of claim 6 wherein the at least one planar target is within a plane that is parallel to the longitudinal mid-plane. 